Stratasys collaborates with five star 3D printing line up for ACADIA conference

Stratasys has announced a collaboration with an impressive line-up of 3D artists for this year’s ACADIA (the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture) conference, 23-25th October, Los Angeles, California, USA.

For over 30 years the ACADIA annual international conference has celebrated the role of computation in architecture, planning, and building science. This event will showcase work from renowned designers across fashion, furniture and gaming; Zaha Hadid Alvin Huang, Francis Bitonti, Jose Sanchez and Jenny Wu who have all used Stratasys 3D printing technology to realise their visions of the future of design.

Award-winning architect Zaha Hadid, worked with Stratasys to create an on-demand 3D printed chair exploring the possibilities of large scale multi-material 3D printing using the Objet500 Connex3 colour.

Fellow furniture maker Alvin Huang created the "Durotaxis Chair", which references the movement of cells guided by the rigidity of a gradient. It utilises Stratasys' Objet multi-material capabilities, due to its ability to 3D print in gradients of size, scale, density, colour, and rigidity.

“3D printing has great potential to revolutionize the design industry,” says Huang. “In the past, the focus has predominantly been on rapid prototyping, but the shift towards rapid manufacturing is imminent.”

Francis Bitonti’s ‘Molecule’ shoe collection uses molecules as small building blocks, which can create complex shapes and products through their interactions when combined on a larger scale.

Bitonti said: “The unique capabilities of the Objet500 Connex3 combined with features in Adobe’s new software, enabled me to create shoes that are strong enough to walk in by implementing three materials in a single build, as well as colour capabilities for a visual impact that can also show the intricacies of the molecules’ interactions.”

Joining the line-up is Jose Sanchez who explores connectivity, patterns and games with ‘The Polyomino’, developed as single units that can then be organized in multiple ways, dependent on the creator, connecting gameplay and personal creations.

ACADIA co-organizer and Assistant Professor of Architecture and Engineering, Dr. David Jason Gerber, said: “We are delighted to host an exclusive curated project from Stratasys this year, as the pieces display a variety of intricacies that set the premise for the future of custom manufacturing and design culture.”